FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Theodore Roosevelt ~ August 25, 2008

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[Kathy in Alaska]

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~ Hall of Heroes ~

Theodore Roosevelt

All info and photos from this website.

           

On July 1, 1898, exposed as the only man on horseback, a target above the rest of the troops on foot, Colonel Theodore Roosevelt found his "crowded hour" as he led charges at Kettle Hill and San Juan Heights during the Battle of San Juan Heights in Cuba. Those who fought with him, both above and below him in rank, commended him for his bravery and leadership at the head of the Rough Rider unit which he helped to recruite and commanded in battle. He was recommended for the Medal of Honor, an award which he felt very deeply that he deserved.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL THEODORE ROOSEVELT UNITED STATES ARMY receives the Medal of Honor posthumously. Accepting the award from the President on behalf of the Roosevelt family is great grandson Tweed Roosevelt.

But the Colonel was denied. Why? Many speculate that it was "bad politics" and "good press" that cost TR that medal for so many years. Once the fighting war was over, the troops of all the regiments faced a different but very grave threat. Malaria, typhoid and yellow fever became the new enemies in Cuba. The various regimental commanders wished for their troops to be returned home quickly so no more would die of these diseases. But most were career officers, reluctant to complain openly to Washington. TR was not regular army. He did complain to both to Washington and to the press. Just as TR's complaints reached Washington, the Secretary of the Army and President McKinley gave orders to recall the troops. Theodore Roosevelt's criticisms while true, were embarrassing to the White House. The press heralded Colonel Roosevelt as a hero [nearly ignoring many regiments and individuals who also served well], and his name was quickly put into play for political advancement. He eventually became Governor of New York, Vice President and ultimately President. But much of his fame was gained in those last days of the war as the colorful Colonel. The people loved him, but Washington did not. Although several people in high positions campaigned for him to get the medal, it was not to happen in his life time. Over one hundred years later, he would finally be recognized for his bravery on that day. On January 16, 2001, Theodore Roosevelt became the first President to receive the Medal of Honor, the highest award for Military Service given in the United States. It is fitting that this man, who understood both war and peace so well becomes the only President to ever receive both the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest honor for actions in war as well as the Nobel Prize for Peace. Quest for the Medal of Honor Rough Riders

Colonel Roosevelt surrounded by Rough Riders after the the Battle of San Juan Heights.

 

CITATION awarding the Medal of Honor to Theodore Roosevelt:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has awarded in the name of The Congress the Medal of Honor to:

LIEUTENANT COLONEL THEODORE ROOSEVELT UNITED STATES ARMY

for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.

Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt distinguished himself by acts of bravery on 1 July 1898, near Santiago de Cuba, Republic of Cuba, while leading a daring charge up San Juan Hill. Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt, in total disregard for his personal safety, and accompanied by only four or five men, led a desperate and gallant charge up San Juan Hill, encouraging his troops to continue the assault through withering enemy fire over open countryside. Facing the enemy's heavy fire, he displayed extraordinary bravery throughout the charge, and was the first to reach the enemy trenches, where he quickly killed one of the enemy with his pistol, allowing his men to continue the assault. His leadership and valor turned the tide in the Battle for San Juan Hill. Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission!

[Maceman]

I MUCH prefer Calvin Coolidge, who was the last president of the 20th Century who really understood the proper role of government in a free society.

True, he wasn’t as sexy as Teddy, but he was a far better president.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Beautiful!!!

[SandRat]

Theodore Roosevelt, America at War (1918)

All Americans of other race origin must act toward the countries from which their ancestors severally sprang as Washington and his associates in their day acted. Otherwise they are traitors to America. This applies especially today to all Americans of German blood who directly or indirectly in any manner support Germany as against the United States and the allies of the United States; it applies no less specifically to all American citizens of Irish blood who are led into following the same course, not by their love of Germany but by their hatred of England. One motive is as inexcusable as the other; and in each case the action is treasonable to the United States.

The professional pacifists have, during the last three years, proved themselves the evil enemies of their country. They now advocate an inconclusive peace. In so doing they have shown themselves to be the spiritual heirs of the Tories who in the name of peace opposed Washington, and of the “Copperheads” who in the name of peace opposed Lincoln. We regard these men and women as traitors to the republic; we regard them as traitors to the great cause of justice and humanity. This war is a war for the vital interests of America. When we fight for America abroad we save our children from fighting for America at home beside their own ruined hearthstones.

We believe that the large majority of Americans are proudly ready to fight to the last for the overthrow of the brutal German militarism which threatens America no less than every other civilized nation. We believe that it would be an act of baseness and infamy, an act of unworthy cowardice, and a betrayal of this country and of mankind to accept any peace except the peace of overwhelming victory, a peace based on the complete overthrow of the Prussianized Germany of the Hohenzollerns.

Change the enemy to Radical Islamists and the message is the same.

[mylife]

My fave Ted quote and words I aspire to live by:

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

[SandRat]

"A hyphenated American is not an American at all. This is just as true of the man who puts 'Native' before the hyphen as of the man who puts German or Irish or French before the hyphen. Americanism is a matter of the spirit and of the soul. Our allegiance must be purely to the United States. We must unsparingly condemn any man who holds any other allegiance." Theodore Roosevelt... 1915



The pacifist is as surely a traitor to his country and to humanity as is the most brutal wrongdoer.

– Theodore Roosevelt, speech at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (July 27, 1917) To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society.

– Theodore Roosevelt

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hello there, swmo!! Hope your family is doing well.

[mylife]

Ted was a bit of a populist.

[mylife]

The guy knew what was going on

[Maceman]

Ya think?

I don’t see anything about Populism that is remotely consistent with the founding principles of my beloved country.

[mylife]

Just my favorite president ever!

Reagan got it too.

[mylife]

We differ on methods and vision

[MS.BEHAVIN]

The Patriot Guard begins to gather for the ride on Friday..

I lost count at 80 bikes..

[SevenofNine]

Rack Teddy Roosevelt

BTW there is sad report I read exceprt of book by Carol Thatcher daughter of Maggie Thatcher in this weekend Sunday UK Mail now UK Times reporting that Maggie Thatcher is suffering from onset of demetria

[mylife]

Kathy, One day, I would like to ride the trails TR set up in Yellowstone National Park, Say in Sept?

Wow! What a great place http://www.theodoreroosevelt.org/life/biopictures.htm

[SevenofNine]

OH MAN PBS going reshow in September their President mini series guess what they going rerun speaking of Ronnie Reagan bio

BTW here article I think to safe Maggie retirment is there

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article4599199.ece

[mylife]

God Bless You all

[Kathy in Alaska]

There are, for sure, alot of beautiful places to visit in these fantastic United States.

[ConorMacNessa]

Greetings To All Who Enter This Canteen, To Our Serving Military, Our Veterans, Their Families, FRiends and To Our Allies!

Missing Man Setting

Never Forget Those Who Sacrificed All That We Could Live In Freedom!!

[mylife]

I would like to see denali.

[ConorMacNessa]

Good evening, Kathy! Nice to see you this evening!